Plant Clinical Signs Toxic Agent Treatment Recommendations for Cattle Distribution maps can be found in the Plants database: http://www.plants.usda.gov Perilla Mint (Perilla Ingestion of perilla mint causes “acute respiratory distress syndrome”, a The flowering or seed parts of perilla mint contain the highest concentration Severely affected animals usually die quickly but animals that live 48 frutescens ) sudden and dramatic onset of open-mouth breathing with the head and neck of perilla ketone, considered the most toxic agent involved.The early pre- hours typically survive although may develop chronic lung problems o extended, nostrils dilated, a sway-back appearance, tongue protruding with seed stage of the weed is of relatively low toxicity while the flowering and heart failure. The stress of handling cattle can cause prompt death so foam coming from the mouth, an open-shouldered stance, and sometimes green seed stage plant is most toxic, especially the seeds themselves. treatment, if attempted, must be handled very cautiously. A dart gun aggression. Breathing is shallow and rapid. Affected animals are frequently Dried hay is less of a risk than green plants but still can be lethal while may be necessary to avoid moving the animal to a treatment facility. found dead. Mature cattle are most often affected but it can occur in frosted plants have relatively low toxicity. The perilla ketone is absorbed into Treatments administered or recommended by a veterinarian may yearlings and calves. the bloodstream and carried to the lungs where it damages the lung tissue. include diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids used in an extra-label manner.Treatment is of limited value and severe cases seldom survive.
Johnsongrass Sudden death. Increased respiratory rate, anxiety, trembling, muscle Cyanogenic glycosides. When plant cells are crushed, chewed, wilted, Sodium thiosulfate at 660mg/kg slowly IV as a 30% solution for (Sorghum halepense ) twitching, collapse, convulsion, death in minutes. Blood has a bright cherry frozen, chopped or otherwise ruptured, the enzymes in the plant can rapidly cyanide toxicosis. For nitrate toxicity, treatemnt with Methylene Blue red color . The signs of nitrate intoxication occur quickly and may be fatal form free cyanide gas which is rapidly absorbed in the bloodstream from the (1% solution) at a dose of 4-15mg/kg slowly by IV injection within minutes to hours. Weakness, staggering, aggressive behavior , foamy rumen. Immature, < 2 feet tall, drought stressed, physically damaged, or salivation, and dark mucous membranes may be observed prior to death. frost damaged johnsongrass are forms at highest risk for poisoning. Blood has a brown to chocolate color. Those pregnant cows that survive will Cyanide prevents hemoglobin from releasing oxygen to tissues and the likely abort. animal dies quickly from lack of oxygen. Johnsongrass may also be a nitrate accumulator under certain conditions. Nitrates are highest in the stems and lowest in the leaves and seeds. Excess nitrates result in formation of methemoglobin from hemoglobin in the blood, a form which cannot transport oxygen.
Poison Hemlock Foliage has an unpleasant mouse urine-like odor, detectable when near the Contains 8 piperidine alkaloids; the two major ones are coniine (major No specific treatment for poisoning exists. If acute poisoning does no (Conium maculatum ) plant or when a stem or leaf is crushed. Livestock generally avoid it unless alkaloid in the seed) and gamma-coniceine (predominate in green, progress to respiratory failure and death, the prognosis for full forage is scarce but it may be accidently consumed as a contaminant of hay vegetative growth). There is considerable variation in the toxic alkaloid recovery is good. Avoid overexcitement and stress that may or silage. Symptoms of poisoning can occur rapidly anywhere within 30 content of the plant depending on stage of growth, season, moisture, exacerbate clinical signs and result in death. minutes to 2 hours depending on the animal, quantity consumed, and toxicity temperature, time of day, and geographical region. The conium alkaloids depending on stage of plant growth. Signs include muscle weakness, have two major effects: 1) rapid, sometimes fatal effects on the nervous incoordination, trembling, dilated pupils, salivation, weak heartbeat, mousy system by acting as neuromuscular blocking agents and 2) they are odor to breath and urine, death by paralysis of respiratory muscles teratogenic agents (causing birth defects in calves and pigs) if eaten during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cattle have died by eating as little as 0.2- 0.5% of their body weight in green hemlock. Hay and grain contaminated with seeds are sources of poisoning.
White Snakeroot Causes "trembles" in cattle due to acidosis and ketonemia resulting from Tremetol was originally associated with toxic effects but it is actually a Treatment involves good nursing care along with high quality feed, IV (Ageratina altissima hypoglycemia. Gradual onset of depression, weakness, reluctance to move, mixture of compounds that make up tremetol that cause metabolic glucose to alleviate ketosis and acidosis, and activated charcoal to formerly known as muscle tremors, stiffness, constipation, acetone odor to breath, and collapse. impairment. Consumption of green plant material at 5-10% of body weight is reduce absorption of toxin. Prolonged period of recovery. Eupatorium rugosum ) Signs may be in calf and not in the dam. needed, either in small amounts over several weeks or large amounts over several days. Leaves, stems, green flower heads. Toxicity decreases with drying but still possible in hay. Cows can excrete tremetol in milk, protecting the cow but places calves and humans at risk.
Solanaceae Horsenettle, Jimpsonweed, also black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), (Nightshade family) potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Potatoes are toxic if sprouted and skins turn green. Green tomato vines may cause poisoning if fed to livestock.
Horsenettle/ Bullnettle Depression, loss of appetite, drowsiness, incoordination, trembling, Toxin is primarily solanine, a tropane alkaloid, causing decreased intestinal Alleviation of clinical signs, possibly with physostigmine, to treat (Solanum weakness, grinding teeth, rapid breathing, constipation but followed by motility, dilated pupils, fast heart rate and irritant effects in the digestive anticholinergic poisoning carolinense ) diarrhea. Calves may have have edema (swelling), ventral subcutaneous system.May have additional cardiac (heart), neurologic and hepatic (liver) swelling, and abdominal fluid accumulation. effects.
Jimsonweed (Datura Generally not a problem because is unpalatable. Consumption of small Anticholinergic tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Entire Activated charcoal given orally. Physostigmine is drug of choice for stramonium ) amounts cause reduced gut motility and decreased appetite. Dilated pupils, plant, both green and dried in hay. Seed most toxic. Contamination with reversing anticholinergics. dry mucous membranes, and increased heart and respiratory rate. 1000 seeds /kg feed is cause for concern in adult cattle Depression, restlessness, irritability, constipation; if severe intoxication, ataxia and delirium, respiratory failure Cocklebur (Xanthium Potent disruptor of cellular function leading to profound hypoglycemia, brain Carboxyatractyloside (CAT) is responsible for toxic effects, which is No treatment to counteract effects. Activated charcoal and IV glucose strumarium , X. and liver tissue primarily affected. Excess salivation, tremors, ataxia (wobbly concentrated in embryonic and cotyledonary tissues so it is found only in may help but prognosis is poor. pensylvanicum and gait), seizures, , sometimes regurgitation and aggression may be seen.Rapid seeds within the bur and the 2-leaf seedling stage. 2 leaf stage is lethal to other spp.) Primarily a progression to death. Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) is a common finding but calves at 1% of body weight. Seeds toxic and potential problem in hay, Liver Toxin does not always cause death. silage or grain. A dose of 0.14-0.2% body weight of seeds is toxic in calves.
Plants Primarily Oxalates consumed at a toxic level produce signs of muscle tremors, Affecting the Renal weakness, tetany and recumbency, usually due to low blood calcium and System (Kidneys) magnesium from the kidney damage. Death is attributed to kidney failure.
Spiny Amaranth/ After ingestion over several (5-10) days, signs of renal (kidney) disease Appearance of the renal form of disease is with ingestion of fresh green Renal form of the disease, goal of treatment is to allow recovery of Pigweeds develop including weakness, trembling, unsteadiness, knuckling, paralysis plants. Some animals seem predisposed to seek out the weed and function of the kidneys through general nursing care. Treatment with (Amaranthus and death within 1-2 days. May see diarrhea with or without blood. The signsconsume it. The cause of myocardial degeneration (heart muscle damage) calcium is not useful.Prognosis for recovery is poor. Treatment for spinosus , A. of nitrate intoxication occur quickly and may be fatal within minutes to hours. and renal (kidney) disease are not known. Oxalates are suspected of nitrate intoxication is 4-15 mg/kg body weight of a 1-2% solution of retroflexus and other Weakness, staggering, aggressive behavior , foamy salivation, and dark causing the renal effects but other factors likely contribute. Oxalate levels methylene blue IV. Extended withdrawal time of 2 years is necessary. spp) mucous membranes may be observed prior to death. Those pregnant cows are highest in leaves, lowest in stems and moderate in the seeds. Nitrate that survive will likely abort. poisoning may be seen with fresh plant material but more likely in dried plants in hay. Nitrates are highest in the stems and lowest in the leaves and seeds. These weeds are predisposed to accumulate nitrates under certain conditions (heavy fertilization/ spray with 2,4 D). Excess nitrates result in formation of methemoglobin from hemoglobin in the blood, a form which cannot transport oxygen.
Curly Dock (Rumex Abrupt onset (8-12 hours after beginning to graze new pasture), signs of Rare intoxication. Oxalate toxicosis and digestive tract irritation. Seldom a Prompt treatment with calcium solutions will result in relief of crispus ) depression, excess salivation, staggering gait, tremors, difficulty walking, problem because plants are not eaten or eaten slowly due to bad taste. symptoms. Relapses may occur. collapse, labored breathing, death if left untreated.
Plants Affecting the Plants affecting the cardiovascular system contain cardiac glycosides that Cardiovasular System cause heart and digestive disturbances. Heart problems include irregular heart rhythms and eventual heart block; digestive problems include abdomina pain and diarrhea.
Hemp Dogbane Diarrhea, sometimes with blood, weakness, slow heart rate. Very large All plant parts, green or dried in hay, contain cardenolides which are toxic to Activated charcoal and other symptomatic treatment. (Apocynum amount required for intoxication of cattle the heart (cardiotoxic). Effects are similar to digitalis and may inhibit heart cannabium ) function. Also digestive disturbances.
Milkweed (Asclepias Signs develop within 8-10 hours with severity depending on amount Contain toxic cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) that affect the heart by No specific treatment is available. Animals that do not consume a syriaca and other consumed. Toxic effects include a fast heart rate, incoordination, weakness, affecting heart muscle conduction and contractility. Other glycosides and lethal dose should recover over several days but may be very weak spp.) trembling, muscle twitching, falling, seizures, paddling, bloat, groaning, resinoids have direct effects on the nervous system. Milkweeds are most during recovery. Activated charcoal along with sedatives to control salivation, respiratory failure and death. toxic during rapid growth and retain their toxicity when dried in hay. All parts convulsions may help. Atropine is indicated for cardiotoxic effects. of plant, consumed green or dried in hay, are toxic. Depending on the type o milkweed, 0.5-2% of animal's body weight in green plant can cause symptoms.
Plants Affecting the Excess Salivation (drooling, slobbering), and diarrhea are common signs Digestive System Buttercup Blistering of the skin, mouth and digestive system. Irritation to mucous Oily glycoside ranunculin converted to irritant protoanemonin by plant Intestinal protectants such as mineral oil are beneficial. (Ranunculus membranes of mouth and digestive system. Excess salivation (drooling, enzymes when plant is chewed. Stems and leaves; Plants are particularly abortivus and other frothy saliva) and intestinal irritation that may result in gastroenteritis and irritating when flowering. Hay is safe. spp) diarrhea. Bitter taste can be passed in the milk.
Pokeweed/ Pokeberry Oral irritation, excessive salivation, irritation of digestive tract, moderate to All plant parts, esp. roots and seeds (berries), contain irritant saponins, Intestinal protectants (activated charcoal) to control absorption of (Phytolacca severe gastroenteritis, diarrhea (may be bloody), depression, death possible oxalates and the alkaloid phytolacine. . Dairy cattle fed pokeweed in green toxins, fluids to correct dehydration and electrolytes americana ) depending on amount consumed chop developed severe diarrhea, drop in milk, and decreased body temperature the following day